Elder Poverty and a GOP Sucker Punch - NOW Will Democrats Pledge to Defend Social Security?

By Richard (RJ) Eskow

December 9, 2011 - 12:20am ET 

Here are three things to consider:

Nearly one American in six over the age of 65 lives in poverty. A newly progressivized Barack Obama is rocking the populist bandwagon from Osawatomie to the Oval Office. And the Republicans have started attacking Democrats on Social Security - from the left.

This would be a good time for the President and other 'centrist' Democrats to offer the country a firm pledge not to cut Social Security benefits in any way, now or in the future.